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The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world. Major brands are exploiting garment workers and harming the environment in the production of shoes and clothing. However, there has been a rise in sustainable fashion brands, making everything from sportswear to underwear who are putting people and the planet before profit.

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As food & drink prices continue to rise across the world, it is often the producers and workers who are losing out to big corporations. We shine a light on the food sovereignty movement pushing for a fairer food system that supports local business and we comment on the rise of veganism.

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Many of the issues from our homes & garden are often hidden from the consumer, from toxic chemicals in our cleaning products to pesticides in our garden. We look at the greenest way to wash, clean and cook and how to recycle your old appliances.

The mainstream banking & insurance industries continue to invest in shady investments such as fossil fuels and nuclear weapons. However, a growing number of ethical alternatives makes it easier than ever to switch to a sustainable bank account or pick an insurance company with an ethical policy.

We look at shops or online platforms that sell a range of products, and how they tend to dominate the market by implementing a profit-first business model and by having a lacklustre approach to ethical practice. We also celebrate ethical companies offering an alternative, from online retailers to sustainable fashion brands.

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The tech sector is plagued by reports of tax avoidance, corporate lobbying and the use of conflict minerals. We look at the brands proving that technology can be made ethically, from Fairphone to Green ISP.

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Are you a lover of the outdoors? Unfortunately the companies that provide your outdoor gear & transport are often harming the environment; from car companies cheating emission tests to outdoor gear companies using toxic chemicals that damage the environment. We provide practical information for consumers on how to keep your ethics while you travel.

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How to shop ethically

With a few small steps it’s easy to start your journey to become an Ethical Consumer and shop ethically.

Here we list 10 easy to do things that can have a big impact.

1) Buy the most ethical

Our guides help make ethical shopping easy and save you time researching company ethics. Our ratings tables and Best Buy advice help you support ethical brands and vote for positive change every time you spend.

There are over 120 live guides on our site, here are 3 of our most popular:

2) Less is more

Do you really need that new pair of shoes? Is it really necessary to upgrade your smartphone again? Is there a better low-consumption alternative?

Reducing consumption can help save money and the planet. It’s something that most of us can do and it doesn’t cost a penny. Whether its energy saving tips or making your own cosmetics our guides provide advice to keep spending and your ecological footprint to a minimum.

3) Get creative before you recycle

Throwing away is so passé. Fixing, up-cycling and reusing is what all the cool kids are doing.

There is often lots that can be done with old gear before you send it for recycling (or worst still to the dreaded landfill). Whether its learning how to fix your mobile phone or creating fun fashion from an old pair of jeans thousands of people around the world are starting projects to help people make the most out of what they already have.

5) Help re-invigorate your local community

You can often find unique and interesting products by shopping with local, independent retailers.

But perhaps more importantly independent businesses are more likely to have localised supply chains. This can help create virtuous monetary circles as they buy what they need, such as printing or accountant services from other local businesses. This keeps more money in local communities and stops it flowing out to the shareholders of big high-street brands or to e-commerce companies based in tax havens.

6) Shop for democracy with co-operatives

Probably the most progressive business types we have in the UK are co-operatives.

Co-operatives usually have a good internal democracy, meaning that the workers and / or others involved in the company get a say in what goes on. Co-ops often put real decision making in the hands of ordinary people, making them very different to big corporations that often take decisions in boardrooms overseas. Other models to look out for are B-corps and social enterprises.

7) Look for trusted labels

There are a host of ethical labels, but some are more trustworthy and rigorous than others.

We always try and point people towards the strongest labels that offer real protection to workers, animals and the environment in each market. In our product guides we award extra points to companies who are independently certified:
• Organic (by the Social Association)
• Vegan (by the Vegan Society)
• Faitrade (by the Fairtrade foundation)
• Cruelty Free (by Cruelty Free International)

10) Take back control of your money

Where our money goes is what it’s all about, so banking, savings and investments play an important part in consuming ethically.

The money that we leave in our bank accounts doesn’t just sit there doing nothing. Banks use this money to invest. Unethical banks often invest in unethical projects such as nuclear weapons manufacture or fracking. By banking with ethical institutions you can be more sure that your money is going to fund projects that benefit society.

Also of interest

Fairtrade is one of the greatest successes of the ethical consumer movement. In recent years it has become a mainstay on supermarket shelves appearing on food products as diverse as wine and bananas. But what exactly is it and why is it so important?